Scaffolding



J. M. LAVIN Feb. 23, 1943.

SCAFFOLDING Filed Nov. 12, 1940 Fig. i.

INVENTOR I db n M Law/in BY M ATTORNEY Patented Feb. 23, 1943 I UNITED SOAFI'OLDING John Michael Lavln, Los Angeles, Calif., assignor to Twentieth Century-Fox Film Corporation, Los Angeles, Calif a corporation of New York Application November 12, 1940, Serial No. 365,243

6 Claims.

This invention relates to scaffolding and deals with that type of scaffolding which is erected b superimposing units.

An object of the invention is to provide a scaffolding which may be quickly constructed to any height from identical units withoutthe use of bolts, pins, rods, etc. Another object is to provide a simple, inexpensive unit whereby the ,units may be superposed and coupled to each other to erect a scaffolding of the above character.

Further objects are the provision of a scaffolding of light durable construction and one that may be collapsed for passing through narrow passages. Other objects and advantages will become apparent as the description proceeds in conjunction with the drawing, in which:

Figure 1 is a view, partly in section, of the unit; and

Figure 2 is a perspective view of a scaffolding erected from the above mentioned unit.

Briefly stated, the invention amounts to constructing a unit, preferably of pipe, which may be superposed upon itself to erect a four-cornered scaffolding. As shown in Figure 1, this unit, enerally designated A, comprises end members II which are identical. The end members H are connected by cross members i 2, in this inbe assembled for erecting ascafi'olding. Here it will be noted that the units A are superposed one on the other to build a square scaffolding. The end members I l are mounted and connected to each other by means of the plug II and the socket mentioned above. Under this arrangement they form four substantially rigid upright posts, generally designated P, at the four corners of the scaffolding, which are in effect composed of jointed sections that may be rotated or swiveled with respect to each other. The cross-members I! serve to form a rigid connection between the sections of the posts P and, since these cross-members extend between the four posts, the structure becomes vertically stable. It will be noted that the cross-members l2 connect corresponding sections of adjacent corner posts and that alternate sections of the same post'are connected to corresponding sections of opposite comer posts. As shown in Figure 2, the top of the scaflolding is covered by a platform, generally designated B (shown in dotted lines), and the scaffolding itself is supported upon a portable base, generally designated C (shown in dotted lines). Since the base and the platform are not a part of this invention, no details of construction have been shown. However, in use the platform and the base are provided with holes and pins II respectively adapted to receive the upper and lower ends of the posts P. When completed with the platform, the scaffolding assumes the shape of the platform and becomes substantially a rigid structure. Without the platform or the base, the scaflolding may be collapsed into a diamond-shape or even a substantially flat member, which gives the advantage of being able to use the scaffolding in a narrow passage or to pass it through narrow openings. The platform of course would have to conform to the shape of the scaffolding if used in this shape. Thechlef advantage of this type of scaffolding lies in the fact that it is composed of a single unit which is easily handled and stored and that it may be quickly and easily erected to any height desired without the useof any extra. equipment or material. This type of scaffolding has met with usefulness in the motion picture art, wherein it is required that different portable levels be erected for mounting lights, speakers, etc., but may find usefulness in other fields wherever a scaffolding of the type described may be used.

I claim:

1. A scaffolding comprising four comer posts composed of a plurality of superposed sections, and means for rigidly connecting alternate sections in said posts to corresponding sections of adjacent posts respectively.

2. A scaffolding comprising four corner posts composed of a plurality of superposed sections, and means for rigidly connecting alternate sec-v tions of each of said posts to corresponding sections. of one of the adjacent posts and the other? sections of said post to corresponding sections of the other adjacent post.

3. A scaffolding comprising four corner posts composed of a plurality of sections superposed on each other, means for detachably interconnecting said sections, and means for rigidly connecting alternate sections of said posts to corresponding alternate .sections of adjacent posts respectively.

4. A scaffolding composed wholly of identical units. each unit comprising two spaced parallel sections of corner posts rigidly connected to each other, each tier of said scaiiolding being composed entirely of two of said units spaced substantially parallel to each other and each successive tier being formed entirely by superposing other 0! said units across the spaced adjacent ends oi! said lower units.

5. A scaflolding composed wholly or identical units, each unit comprising two spaced parallel sections of corner posts rigidly connected to each other, said units being superposed to form four continuous corner posts wherein alternate other and said units being superposed on each other to form a scaflolding having four corner posts wherein the sole rigid connections between the corner post sections occur substantially at right angles to each other in alternate successive tiers of the scaffolding.

J OHN MICHAEL LAVIN. 

